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Hindustan Times
30-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Thar desert, empty jerry can: How ‘thirst' ended Pakistani couple's India dream in Rajasthan
A teen couple from Pakistan, facing opposition from their families, decided to cross the border and make a living for themselves in India. However, their choice to go the 'illegal' way after visa rejection resulted in their deaths in the desert in Rajasthan. Postmortem examination of the couple's bodies have been completed, the official said, adding that last rites will be undertaken by local authorities.(X/@maheshmvasu) After facing several hurdles to secure an Indian visa and facing rejection in the process, the 17-year-old boy and the 15-year-old girl made a desperate decision and set off on foot to cross into India via the Thar desert route, a news agency PTI report said. Despite harsh conditions, the minor couple managed to cross into Jaisalmer. However, the climatic situation did not support them in their journey. The duo reportedly died due to dehydration, a local activist said. 'Empty jerry can, decomposed bodies' Police found the teenagers' decomposed bodies, with an empty jerry can near the boy's face, in the Tanot area on Saturday, June 28. Superintendent of Police (SP) Chaudhary said that the boy's body was found under a tree, clad in a sky-blue salwar and kurta. An empty jerry can, which likely contained water earlier, was found near his face. Police also discovered a yellow scarf and a mobile phone near his body. The girl's body was found around 50 feet away from the boy. She was wearing a yellow ghaghra (traditional skirt) and kurta, and red and white bangles. Police said that both bodies were found in a face-down position and had decomposed beyond the possibility of facial recognition. Chaudhary said that both bodies appeared to be several days old, having turned black due to decomposition. Prima facie, he said, the couple died due to dehydration. ALSO READ | Pakistani immigrant kills wife in Navi Mumbai, dies by suicide The Pakistani identification cards found near the bodies led the police to identify their nationality. Why did the couple illegally cross into India? Dilip Singh Sodha, district coordinator of Seemant Lok Sangathan, said the boy hailed from Pakistan's Sindh province. He had applied for a pilgrimage visa to India almost 1.5 years ago. The Seemant Lok Sangathan is a rights advocacy group for Pakistani minority migrants in the country. When the boy lost all hopes of securing an Indian visa, Sodha said, he decided to cross the border with his wife. "He wanted to live in India. He somehow entered Indian territory but unfortunately died in the hope of a better life," said Sodha. The official circulated details of the deceased' ID cards on social media and came in contact with the boy's relatives in Jaisalmer, who later confirmed his identity. As per the boy's relatives, his bike was found around 20 km away from the body, and the bodies were found about 12-13 km inside India. "It suggests that they walked in the desert for several kilometres. They had a jerry can which was found close to boy's face. It indicates that they had run out of water and died due to dehydration," Sodha said. Additionally, Jaisalmer Circle officer Roop Singh Inda said that police have sought information on the boy's visa application from the local foreigners registration office. "We have not received any details about it so far," he was quoted as saying by the news agency. Postmortem examination of the couple's bodies have been completed, the official said, adding that last rites will be undertaken by local authorities. Further investigation into the tragic incident is underway.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Time of India
Pakistani couple's India dream ends in tragedy as they die of thirst while crossing border
A young Pakistani couple, desperate for a new life in India after being unable to secure a visa, tragically attempted to cross the Thar desert border on foot. The 17-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl succumbed to dehydration in the harsh conditions near Jaisalmer. Their bodies were discovered days later, highlighting the perilous journey and their yearning for a better future. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A minor couple from Pakistan, eager to start anew in India, faced a significant hurdle - securing an Indian visa. In an act of desperation, they embarked on a journey, crossing the border that goes through Thar desert on 17-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl braved the harsh conditions, managing to cross into Jaisalmer. Tragically, the unforgiving environment ultimately proved fatal, with the couple reportedly succumbing to dehydration, according to a local decomposed bodies were found in the Tanot area on June of Police (SP) Chaudhary said that the boy's body was found under a tree. He was wearing a sky-blue salwar kurta. A yellow scarf and a mobile phone were also found near the body, with an empty jerry can, possibly containing water earlier, near his 50 feet away, police found the body of the girl wearing a yellow ghaghra-kurta and red-and-white bangles. Both bodies were lying face-down and had decayed to the point that facial recognition was not said that both bodies appeared to be several days old, having turned black due to decomposition. Prima facie, they died due to dehydration, he identification cards were found near the to Dilip Singh Sodha, district coordinator of Seemant Lok Sangathan , the boy hailed from Pakistan's Sindh province and had applied for a pilgrimage visa to India nearly one and a half years said when the boy lost all hope of securing the Indian visa, he, along with his wife, decided to cross the border."He wanted to live in India. He somehow entered Indian territory but unfortunately died in the hope of a better life," said Sodha, who circulated the details of the ID cards on social media and came in contact with the boy's relatives in Jaisalmer, who confirmed his Lok Sangathan is an advocacy group for the rights of Pakistani minority migrants in details of the arduous journey taken by both, Sodha said that as per his relatives, the boy's bike was found nearly 20 km away from the border, and their bodies were found about 12-13 km inside India."It suggests that they walked in the desert for several kilometres. They had a jerry can which was found close to boy's face. It indicates that they had run out of water and died due to dehydration," he Circle officer Roop Singh Inda said that the police have sought information from the local foreigners registration office (FRO) in Jaisalmer on the boy's visa application."We have not received details about it so far," Inda officer said that postmortem was conducted and the last rites will be undertaken by the local authorities."The matter is being investigated further," he said.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pahalgam terror attack: Centre exempts many more from repatriation to Pakistan
Amid countrywide crackdown to physically remove Pakistan citizens whose visas expired on April 29, 2025, the Union Home Ministry (MHA) expanded the list of categories exempted from deportation. The MHA issued guidelines that Pakistani Hindus who have 'applied for long term visas' (LTVs) and whose applications are 'under process' will be exempted from the deportation process. Exemption has also been granted to Hindu migrants who were eligible but had not yet applied for LTV, on the condition that they apply immediately. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, where the concentration of Pakistani Hindus is the highest, conveyed to Seemant Lok Sangathan, a group that advocates for the rights of Pakistani minority migrants in India, that Muslim women who are married to Indian citizens and have applied for LTVs are 'not required to leave the country'. The FRRO in Jodhpur conducted a special drive from April 26 to 28 to register Pakistani Hindu migrants, and LTVs were granted to 362 persons. Earlier government officials had clarified that those who possessed LTVs will be exempt from the visa-revocation order and will not have to leave the country. On April 28-29, as many as 249 Pakistanis left India via the Attari integrated land port in Punjab while 527 Indians entered the country. As many as 537 Pakistani citizens left India between April 24 and 27, when the first deadline came to an end. 'Pakistani Hindus' LTV applications pending' Seemant Lok Sangathan president Hindu Singh Sodha said that there are 10,000 Pakistani Hindus whose LTV applications are pending with the MHA for more than two years. The LTV, granted for 1-5 years, is considered a precursor to citizenship. Mr. Sodha said that in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, after the government announced that it was revoking visas to Pakistanis and that they had 48 hours to leave the country, there was panic as the move would affect thousands. 'We wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and took up the matter with the State government. The FRRO informed us through a press note that other than LTV holders, those who have applied for the LTVs will also be exempted. It is a big relief. These people came to India seeking shelter from religious persecution. They applied for LTV following due process. You did not clear their files and now want to punish them by sending them back?' Mr. Sodha said. He added that several Pakistani Hindu refugees received calls from the police asking them to leave the country. The FRRO also cautioned the migrants from falling into the hands of touts and asked them to contact them directly in their office. It said that people whose Pakistani passports had expired and were yet to apply for citizenship should present their documents to the FRRO immediately so that necessary directions can be obtained from the ministry. Short-term visas to long-term visas for Hindus A senior police official in Rajasthan said some Hindu migrants who came here on short-term visas wanted to stay back and were being given LTVs. 'As a procedure, calls were made to all Pakistani visa holders. Some minority community members from Pakistan wanted to stay back on the grounds of persecution, so we asked them to apply for LTV,' the official said. A Delhi Police official said that they have been given a list of Pakistani citizens who have not left the country despite the visas being revoked. 'The procedure is that they will be taken to the FRRO office in Delhi, which will examine their documents and if found flouting the visa conditions, they will be sent to the detention centre in Lampur from where they will be deported to their country of origin,' said the official. In Maharashtra, a government official said that exit permits were being handed over to people and it was being ensured that they leave the country.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pak Hindu refugees get temporary breather, many apply for long term visas
Jaisalmer : With India revoking visa services to all but diplomatic, official and long-term visa holders, Hindu Pakistani citizens on short-term visas in India made a beeline to apply for long-term visas before the deadline ended on Sunday. Over Saturday and Sunday, over 800 Hindu Pakistani citizens in Jaisalmer prepared and submitted their long-term visa applications at the Foreigners Registration Office. Dalip Singh Sodha of the Seemant Lok Sangathan said, "We received assurances of relief from the govt. There is a possibility of relief for Hindu refugees from Pakistan, and we have high hopes from this decision." Under this relief, displaced Hindu refugees from Pakistan who came to India on short-term visas were asked to apply for LTV (Long Term Visa). If they apply for LTV within the deadline, they may be allowed to stay in India permanently, Sodha said. He said it is likely govt may issue specific orders for Hindu refugees from Pakistan, providing them relief for a certain period. "This could be a historic step, proving to be a lifeline for thousands of Hindu refugees displaced from Pakistan to India," Sodha added. By Sunday, over 800 Pakistani Hindu refugees had applied for long-term visas. However, Sodha said if the LTV applications are not completed within the specified time frame, concerned persons may have to return to Pakistan.
